Abstract: A flywheel is described having a rotor constructed of wire wound onto a central form. The wire is prestressed, thus mitigating stresses that occur during operation. In another aspect, the flywheel incorporates a low-loss motor using electrically non-conducting permanent magnets.

Abstract: A breathing assistance system with functionality for detecting the existence of a fault condition may include a pressure detector, a flow detector and a fault detection system. The pressure detector may take pressure measurements, each measurement including a measurement of a gas flow rate in the breathing assistance system. The flow detector may take flow rate measurements, each flow rate measurement including a measurement of has flow rate in the breathing assistance system. The fault detection system may process the pressure measurements and/or flow rate measurements to determine the existence of a fault condition associated with the breathing assistance system.

Abstract: A flywheel is described having a rotor constructed of wire wound onto a central form. The wire is prestressed, thus mitigating stresses that occur during operation. In another aspect, the flywheel incorporates a low-loss motor using electrically non-conducting permanent magnets.

Abstract: A breathing assistance system with functionality for detecting the existence of a fault condition may include a pressure detector, a flow detector and a fault detection system. The pressure detector may take pressure measurements, each measurement comprising a measurement of a gas flow rate in the breathing assistance system. The flow detector may take flow rate measurements, each flow rate measurement comprising a measurement of has flow rate in the breathing assistance system. The fault detection system may process the pressure measurements and/or flow rate measurements to determine the existence of a fault condition associated with the breathing assistance system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating laser Doppler velocimeters having one or more intersecting beam pairs. These velocimeters measure fluid velocity by observing the light scattered by particles in the fluid stream. Moving fluid particulates are simulated by fine taut wires that are radially mounted on a disk that is rotated at a known velocity. The laser beam intersection locus is first aimed at the very center of the disk and then the disk is translated so that the locus is swept by the rotating wires. The radial distance traversed is precisely measured so that the velocity of the wires (pseudo particles) may be calculated.